Kantara Chapter 1 Hindi Box Office Preview: Advance Booking and Opening Day Expectations

Mumbai, October 1 - Actor and director Rishab Shetty's Kantara: A Legend - Chapter 1 is one of the most awaited films of the year, riding high on the blockbuster success of 2022's Kantara that became a cultural and commercial phenomenon across the country. The prequel promises to expand the mystical folklore universe on a much grander scale, with intense visuals and rooted storytelling that connects deeply with Indian traditions.

Directed and headlined once again by Shetty, and with a festive Dussehra release amid massive curiosity around how the world of Kantara began, the stage is set for a solid theatrical debut at the Indian box office, and all eyes will be on how the Hindi version of the movie fares, especially after the original movie turned into an unexpected big succees.

After a slow start, the film's advance booking in the Hindi market has gained some momentum with less than a day to go for the release. So far, it has grossed approximately 2.50 crores for the opening day and is expected to close above 4 crores in pre-sales. This puts the film ahead of other recent titles such as Sky Force (3.78 crores), Sitaare Zameen Par (3.30 crores), and Jolly LLB 3 (3.23 crores) in advance sales.

With this trajectory, a double-digit opening in Hindi, which once seemed tough, is now comfortably within reach. Current trends indicate an opening day in the range of 14–15 crores net, with spot bookings and walk-ins on the Dussehra holiday expected to provide a significant boost, especially in tier-2 and tier-3 centres where the film holds an upper hand in single screens. If word of mouth is positive, these figures will likely go further.

Censored with a U/A certificate and carrying a runtime of 169 minutes, the film will be released in the Hindi belt by AA Films, which has ensured a wide release across multiplexes and mass circuits alike. Despite a clash with Dharma Productions’ family entertainer Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari, Kantara Chapter 1 has managed to carve out a strong showcasing, thanks to its brand value and the aggressive planning by the distributor.

All eyes are now on the audience reception. If the film garners positive word of mouth, Kantara Chapter 1 could turn its promising advance into a blockbuster start in the Hindi market, reaffirming the pan-India appeal of Rishab Shetty's vision. Worldwide, the film is expected to take the opening of 50+ crores.

Stay tuned...